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Celtic and Rangers among British sides to learn European opposition

Celtic will find out their second qualifying round opponents on Monday
Image: Celtic will find out their second qualifying round opponents on Monday

British and Irish sides will learn who they face in the Champions League and Europa League opening qualifying rounds on Monday.

Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United have all earned automatic spots in the Champions League group stage, while Liverpool - who finished fourth in the Premier League last season - are entered straight into the play-off round.

There are three qualifying rounds before then, though, with Scottish champions Celtic set to learn their second qualifying round opponents, along with Irish side Dundalk.

The first qualifying round first-leg ties will be on 27 or 28 June with the return legs on 4 or 5 July. The dates for the second qualifying round matches - where Celtic come in - are 11/12 July and 18/19 July.

When are the Champions League opening-round fixtures?

The opening leg of the first qualifying rounds will be played on June 27 and 28, with the second legs coming a week later on July 4 and 5

Clubs cannot draw teams from the same country and will also be separated into seeds for the first round, decided by UEFA's co-efficient rankings established at the start of the season.

Northern Ireland's Linfield and Welsh club The New Saints, both seeded, are waiting to find out their first-round opponents.

Dundalk reached the Europa League group stages last season but missed out on the knockout rounds
Image: Dundalk reached the Europa League group stages last season but missed out on the knockout rounds

The Europa League's first and second qualifying rounds will also be drawn on Monday, with UK sides Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Rangers from Scotland, and Crusaders, Coleraine and Ballymena United from Northern Ireland to be pulled from the pot. Ireland's Shamrock Rovers, Cork City and Derry City will also be drawn out.

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Welsh trio Bala Town, Connah's Quay Nomads and Bangor City will also be fighting it out in the first round, while Aberdeen will learn which of two first-round teams they will take on in the second round.

When are the Europa League opening-round fixtures?

First-round ties will take place on June 29 (first leg) and July 6 (second leg).

Rangers, St Johnstone and Crusaders are all seeded for the draw.

Everton will start the tournament in the third qualifying round as they bid to earn a play-off and then a place in the group stage.

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